Historically, the dispute over national origins that lasted for more than ten years was a very complicated event.
This is not only a question of who should be crowned prince, but also mixed with various factors such as party disputes among ministers, power games between monarchs and ministers, emotional venting, and speculation.
Under the fierce emotional confrontation, no workaround could be implemented, which led to the protracted battle, which took more than ten years to reach a conclusion.
In the past ten years, the Ming Dynasty was very "weird". While fighting fierce battles over the country's origins in the court, it also fought the three major conquests of Wanli.
I have to say that the financial resources Zhang Juzheng left for Daming were quite substantial.
In principle, Lin Tailai does not intend to get deeply involved in the national dispute.
There is no benefit in standing there. He just wants to fish in troubled waters and continue to grow his power.
And rely on your best talents to do your job well in diplomacy.
After this short court meeting, it was a sleepless night for many Qingliu influential figures.
For example, he sacrificed himself and presented "Jin Ping Mei" to the emperor. He Zhuo couldn't sleep at night and went to the home of his fellow countryman Song Hu to complain.
After Song Qi failed to compete with Wang Situ for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue three years ago, he had to settle for the next best thing and become the Minister of the Ministry of Works. He has been keeping a low profile these years.
Song Shangshu sighed to He Zhuo: "Is it worth it for you to sacrifice yourself just to ban "Jin Ping Mei"?"
He Zhuo said helplessly: "Otherwise, what else can we do? If not, it would be difficult to save the other four people."
Song Shangshu was a little lucky, not only for himself, but also for Sige Lao Wang Jiaping, Xingbu Shangshu Lu Guangzu, Dali Temple Qing Sun Quan and others.
Before he left, Gu Xiancheng suggested that comrades above the third rank should try to avoid engaging in personal fights in order to preserve their basic vitality.
Fortunately, I listened this time, otherwise the consequences would be really hard to predict.
But another strategy mentioned by Gu Xiancheng - using a cannon fodder to stir up trouble, and then others pretending to save them, failed.
Not only did the strategy fail, it also caught up with He Zhuo and Luo Yuren. Although they are still alive, they are dead politically.
In addition, Qian Yiben, the censor who had crossed paths with Lin Tailai, was also in a bad situation for Wang Sanyu during the incident. He would definitely be pursued for "inappropriate words and deeds, favoritism and neglect of public service".
As an outsider who has not personally experienced the consequences, Song Hao sees it more clearly:
"If Luo Yuren's memorial had not been accompanied by Lin Tailai, perhaps the result would not have been like this, but it is useless to talk about it now."
He Zhuo added: "Luo Yuren and I plan to resign after a while and live in the mountains and forests from now on."
How many numbers is this? Although Song Shangshu does not think that he is old and confused, he does feel that he has lost count.
In the past three years, comrades who have fallen include Fang Wanshan, Xin Zixiu, Cai Shiding, Li Shida, Li Lai, Shi Kunyu, Xu Souqian, Cui Jingrong, and Chen Tailai. It seems that there are still some missing.
Maybe you don’t need to worry too much about one or two, but when there are too many, it will be shocking!
This has only been three years. If this continues, I am afraid that the rate of replenishment and training of newcomers will not be able to keep up with the rate of consumption!
When he thought of this, Song Shangshu suddenly woke up. They had been developing for more than ten years, and the Qingliu forces, which were not small in size, were actually beginning to face an existential crisis!
It's really unreasonable to just face Lin Tailai!
He Zhuo added: "I don't care about mediocrity, but can I save all my money this time?"
"It's a bit difficult." Song Qi said truthfully.
According to the traditional gameplay, there should be a group of science and technology experts to rescue and stir up hot spots, and then the big boss will coordinate in the middle.
But in the current situation, our own side has suffered heavy losses and has low morale, so it is not easy to gather manpower.
Moreover, many of our own people have already made appearances. If we gather together again to join forces, it will inevitably feel like we are relying on our power to act recklessly, which will make us unpopular.
Song Qi continued: "Wang Sanyu is okay, he didn't say a few words, it's just that the money is in the present plan, so it's better to stop the loss in time.
Let Qian Yiben seek his own happiness, and he can't continue to take others in just for the sake of a copy of "Jin Ping Mei"."
He Zhuo is quite passionate and righteous, "If you just seek happiness for yourself, it would be heart-warming."
Song Qi replied: "Qian Yiben's matter is not serious, he was just caught being biased during the battle.
The worst outcome for him is to be transferred out of the capital, and after two or three years, when the situation has subsided, he will be transferred back again. This is the most appropriate plan at the moment."
"That's all we can do, let Qian Yiben try to protect himself." Although He Zhuo still wanted to help his comrades, there was nothing he could do.
If the top bosses are unwilling to come forward to coordinate, no matter how hard you try, it will be in vain.
When leaving, He Zhuo said to Song Qi: "I have a feeling that Lin Tailai is not like any traditional traitorous minister we know."
Song Shangshu was puzzled, "What do you mean by being different? Because you are more domineering, more arrogant, and better able to fight?"
He Zhuo explained: "It's hard for me to express what I mean in words, but I can give an analogy.
The traditional treacherous minister is like Wangba who solicits customers on the roadside, shouting "Your Majesty is here to play" and the like.
Lin Tailai, on the other hand, could say seriously, Your Majesty, you have been busy with government affairs recently and are too tired to hurt your body. You should have some entertainment.
The difference between the two is what I want to express."
Lin Tailai, who was at home reminiscing about the first court meeting and the first court meeting, was also harassed.
The person who harassed him was Wang Yusheng, a classmate of the same age and from the Wang family in Dongshan, who refused to go to the Ministry of Rites to be the head of the department.
"I came here today just to tell you that I can't stay in the Metropolitan Procuratorate any longer." Wang Yu said in a helpless voice.
After becoming a Jinshi, Wang Yusheng has been doing political internship in the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Lin Tailai asked back: "If you can't stay in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, what do you want to say to me? I gave you a chance, but you refused."
Wang Yusheng replied: "Originally, it was nothing to observe politics in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but recently
You also know that Kedao is the largest den of those who claim to be Qingliu forces, and there are many such officials in the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Recently you have stirred up this hornet's nest again, and everyone knows about my relationship with you.
How can I feel better now in the Metropolitan Procuratorate? Just those dozens of unkind looks can make me, a newcomer with no position and power, restless!"
Lin Tailai said contemptuously: "They can't eat you. If you can't survive this, then why are you an official?"
Wang Yusheng said helplessly: "I can endure it, but before my period of observing the government ends, can you restrain yourself a little bit?"
"I really have no ambition." Lin Tailai continued to scorn: "If it were me, I would take advantage of the opportunity and pull one or two old people off their horses. Wouldn't the position be freed up? Can't I just take the position directly?"
Wang Yusheng: ""
We are mainstream officials, and we cannot compare with non-mainstream officials like Lin Jiuyuan.
At this time, the doorman of the Lin Mansion came to report: "There is a man named Wu Zhengzhi, who claims to be from the same year as the residence, and is waiting outside the door."
Wang Yusheng said doubtfully: "Isn't Wu Zhengzhi the one who was kicked out of Shujishi by you because he casually slandered you?
Why would he take the initiative to visit you? Are you hooking up in private? Do you need me to avoid you? "
"I don't know either." Lin Tailai was also confused, "I'll talk about it after seeing it first.
After all, they are all of the same year in name. If they are excluded from the same year, it will affect the Scholarship Review."
Wang Yusheng was quite surprised. Lin Jiuyuan, who practiced domineering and entered Taoism through martial arts, actually cared about the so-called scholarly style review?
After a while, I saw Wu Zhengzhi being led into the study.
He saluted Lin Tailai and prayed: "Please Lin Jiuyuan, please let me go, senior!"
Lin Tailai was a little surprised. He had guessed before that Wu Zhengzhi might have come to ask for mercy; but to his surprise, Wu Zhengzhi actually begged for mercy on behalf of Qian Yiben.
Qian Benben was the censor who named Lin Tailai and confronted Luo Yuren on the question "Where did the Xuanfu's 20,000 taels of silver go?"
Lin Tailai is now labeled as "abusing his power as an official and deliberately favoring personal interests", and he will be punished at any time.
After thinking about the relationship between Wu Zhengzhi and Qian Yiben, Lin Tailai also understood a little bit.
Qian Ben was one of the future Eight Gentlemen of Donglin, and Wu Zhengzhi was also a junior in Gu Xiancheng's circle.
Therefore, Wu Zhengzhi helped his senior Qian Yiben to intercede. It is not incomprehensible from a rational point of view, but is he overestimating his own capabilities?
Lin Tailai asked very sensitively: "What weight do you have that you can help me with money to beg for mercy?"
You can't even protect yourself, and you still intercede for your seniors. Who do you think you are?
What conditions can you offer to impress others?
Money? Lin Tailai is not short of small money, and you can't give him big money!
Beautiful women? He, Lin Tailai, is not new to them, and he will not give up his principles in this regard!
Power? In the imperial court, Lin Tailai was backed by the Chief Assistant and the Minister of Household Affairs; in his hometown in Suzhou, Lin Mansion was the second imperial court!
Wu Zhengzhi gritted his teeth and said: "My family has the famous painting "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" that has been handed down from generation to generation, and I would like to give it to you!"
Lin Tailai: ""
People can't just pursue money, beauty, and power in life, and they can't be slaves to desires. It's time to improve their artistic literacy.
Lin Tailai asked: "Is this painting at your home?"
My heart beats not because of how valuable the painting "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" is, but mainly because of its artistic value.
Wu Zhengzhi replied with certainty: ""Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" has been circulating in Changzhou Prefecture in recent decades and was bought by my family a few years ago."
The value of famous paintings at this time was not as great as it would be hundreds of years later, but it was still very valuable.
So Lin Tailai told the truth: "It's a bit expensive."
Wu Zhengzhi replied: "If Lin Jiuyuan thinks this painting is valuable, he can let me return to the Hanlin Academy as a concubine, and guarantee that I will be elected as the Hanlin Academy!"
Lin Tailai frowned and thought for a while, then agreed: "That's okay, I'll do my best."
Gold is valuable but art is priceless. For the sake of art, you can be accommodating.
Wu Zhengzhi finally showed joy and promised: "As soon as I return to Shujishi, I will immediately ask my family to send "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" to Lin Mansion in Suzhou!"
Although in the eyes of their Qingliu forces, Lin Tailai was a bad person, they had to admit that Lin Tailai's political credibility was very good.
I heard that Li Rusong gave Lin Tailai a box of silver, but after only half a month of waiting, Lin Tailai canceled the money Xu received from the governor of Xuanfu.
After Wu Zhengzhi left, Wang Yusheng immediately said to Lin Tai: "Our Dongshan Wang family is willing to pay a lot of money."
"Shut up!" Lin Tailai directly interrupted Wang Yusheng's delusion, and there was no need to listen to what he said next.
Wang Yusheng couldn't help but sigh: "Lin Jiuyuan, you have changed, you have become more kind-hearted and soft-hearted.
Didn't you say that we must eradicate all evil and kill all the real enemies? Otherwise, the spring breeze will blow and the leeks will grow again?
I didn’t expect that today you would give up your own principles for the sake of a painting called "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains."
Lin Tailai said profoundly and mysteriously: "As the saying goes, there are fifty great ways and forty-nine natural evolutions. People can only escape one of them. There must always be a glimmer of hope for others."
I do this to set an example for others, to let others know that besides fighting, there is another way to beg for mercy.
Lest the enemies all think that there is no way out, and then they can only resist desperately, which will cause me more gain than loss."
Wang Yusheng understood, "What do you mean, if you don't have something as valuable as "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains", don't come to beg for mercy?"
Lin Tailai said dissatisfied: "Are you really blinded by a famous painting and can't see the truth behind it at all?
I let Wu Zhengzhi go, Qian Yiben also wanted to preserve the vitality of the Qingliu forces and ensure that the temple structure would not be too unbalanced.
If the power of Qingliu is too weakened, who will cover me and increase my strength? Who will attack the existing old structure for me?"
Wang Yu said in a sour voice: "Are you talking about playing a big chess game again?
Aren't you just attracted to the painting "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains"? Is it so difficult to face your true heart?"
Lin Tailai said angrily: "If it weren't for me, your emotional intelligence would be at most four levels in the official career!
I will never be able to see the scenery above the third grade, and I will never be a high official in my life!"
The next day, Lin Tailai came to the Hanlin Academy and found Bachelor Tian Yijuntian, the executive vice-president of the academy and Shujishi's tutor.
Then he made a very sincere request and said: "I have reflected on it recently. It would be a very irresponsible act for the country to expel Wu Zhengzhi from the ranks of common people just because of a few words.
We need to give newcomers opportunities to make mistakes and opportunities to correct themselves.
In any case, newcomers should not be beaten to death just because of a small mistake.
Therefore, I suggest that Wu Zhengzhi should be recruited back, and after criticism and education, he should continue to study in the Hanlin Academy as a scholar."
Xueshie Tian: ""
You were the one who strongly wanted to expel people at the beginning, and now you are the one who wants to recruit people back. What do you want?
"Should I let you do the job of teaching this Shujishi?" Tian Xueshi said quietly.
For an honest man with a slight social fear, this is the most sinister thing he can say.
Lin Tailai quickly declined: "That's not necessary. After all, my qualifications are flawed. In another three years, I may be able to make do with the next subject."
Academician Tian was speechless. He said it as if in three years, your qualifications would be strong?
How many people have been wandering around the Hanlin Academy for ten or twenty years without even touching the fifth rank. After all, the top rank of the Hanlin Academy is the fifth rank.
By the way, Lin Jiuyuan is already at the fifth level now? That's okay.
A few days later, there was a rumor in the capital that Lin Jiuyuan, the new star in the court, liked the paintings of famous people.
Quietly, the frequency of calligraphy and painting transactions in Beijing increased, and prices increased by 20%.
